hi, i am looking information that when there are chöd empowerments happening. i would like to practice chöd but i dont have empowerments or any lung? is lung enough or do you need wang also.

and if you do know any chöd empowerments in 2013 or 2014 please inform me.

If the thought of demons Never rises in your mind, You need not fear the demon hosts around you. It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned, there are neither buddhas or demons. He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion. Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

It is my understanding that the Chod from the Dudjom Tersar does not require empowerment to practice since there is no self-generation and T'hroma is visualized above your head. However, you should still receive at least the lung and teachings before taking it on.

There happens to be a T'hroma Nagmo (which the Dudjom Tersar Chod practice comes from) empowerment and teachings in October in Eugene, OR next month.

KonchokZoepa wrote:i would like to practice chöd but i dont have empowerments or any lung? is lung enough or do you need wang also.

Konchok, it depends on which particular Chöd sadhana you are looking to do. Some, such as the Loud Laughter of the Dakini, you only need lung to perform. Others texts require an extensive wang beforehand in addition to the reading transmission. Sometimes the wang is for the deity Troma Nakmo (the very wrathful, black form of Vajrayogini), while Opening the Sky Door is specifically an empowerment that is good for all Chöd practices (and, as the name implies, incorporates a bit of Phowa into it).

The best lamas I personally know of for Chöd empowerments are Lho Ontul Rinpoche, HH Karma Chagme Rinpoche, and Lama Tsering Wangdu. OR seems to give the wang pretty regularly, as it tends to be included in his annual Oddiyana Retreats. He lives at his monastery---Wogmin Thubten Shedrub Ling---in Tso Pema (Rewalsar Lake, India). The Drikung Dzogchen Communities in the U.S. are trying to arrange a teaching tour for him as we speaked; it's slated for 2014.http://www.dharma-media.org/wogmin/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkWWAhXr70g

Chagme Rinpoche is the current tulku of the author of the Richö, and also the editor of the Jewel Garland of Chöd Feasts. He has a strong connection to the practice. Currently KCR lives at his monastery in Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal. http://www.neydo.org/?key=1&pos=1&act=pagesbiograph

"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme

there doesnt seem to be any chöd activity in europe. U.S is way too far away for me. i live in finland.

If the thought of demons Never rises in your mind, You need not fear the demon hosts around you. It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned, there are neither buddhas or demons. He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion. Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

KonchokZoepa wrote:there doesnt seem to be any chöd activity in europe. U.S is way too far away for me. i live in finland.

FYI: Seems there was a scheduled event with Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche which was going to include empowerments for the entire Longchen Nyingthik cycle(!), but this was changed due to TTR's health. Still, it's good to know that the Longchen Nyingthik is taking root in Finland, and it's a chance to make a connection with the Dharma center located in Samje, Siikainen & Eteläpää. Incidentally, is that pronounced "Samye"? Hehehe https://www.facebook.com/events/348639728571204/

There are plenty of Drikung centers in Europe. Try contacting one and seeing if the Chöd empowerment is scheduled to be given at an upcoming event. If not, there's always the possibility you could request it...http://www.drikung.org/world-wide-centers

Apparently Chödpa Lama Rinpoche only travels within Europe, despite being based out of Canada. He looks to be the best of both worlds, coming from a Drikung/Kamtsang perspective; he was ordained and got his monastic education from a Drikung gompa, and studied Chöd intensively under one of the preeminent masters of Karma Kagyu---the late Kyabjé Tenga Rinpoche (not to mention his connection to H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche). Chödpa Rinpoche is now a ngakpa-yogi, so he'd also understand your path as a householder. Anyone with those credentials is good in my book http://www.machigling.org/biography/http://www.machigling.org/schedule-2/

Hopefully this helps!

"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme

Ok, so I just read the bio of Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche, and this is what I gleaned:

1) He's a Tulku of the Mindrolling lineage of Nyingma, and was one of the few recognized by H.H. Minling Trichen Rinpoche (late father of H.E. Jestun Khandro Rinpoche).

2) His monastery in Tibet was where such luminaries as Dza Patrul Rinpoche & Khenpo Kunpal came from

3) He's a lineage holder of the Longchen Nyingthik, and has especially studied Longchenpa's works, but not to the exclusion of any of the other great Nyingma masters. He also holds Karma Lingpa's Shitro (100 peaceful & wrathful deities), and has received the entire Rinchen Terdzöd twice---once from H.H. Penor Rinpoche, and once from Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul

4) Possibly the most important for you, Konchok, is that he is the first (and possibly only) lama residing permanently in Finland. He founded and is responsible for the spiritual direction at Danakosha Center: http://www.danakosha.fi/

Addendum from the Mindrolling website:

Venerable Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is one of the very few tulkus formally recognized by Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen. Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen was recognized as the re-incarnation of Gegong Rogza Sonam Palgay. Venerable Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen has received numerous empowerments and transmissions from great masters such as Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen, Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulzhig Rinpoche and Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche. Venerable Tulku Dagpa Gyaltsen has spent considerable time in various retreats and has completed his studies of rituals and liturgies. Venerable Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen has also completed his studies at the Ngagyur Nyingma College, the shedra at the Mindrolling Monastery in Dehra Dun, India. Venerable Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen has been teaching for many years now and is currently the spiritual director and founder of Dhanakosha Center in Finland where he currently resides and teaches.

"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme

thanks for so extensive reply. i found out recently about Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche living here. havent met him yet. he lives in another city where i am currently visiting but he is abroad teaching.

the shitro drubchen and retreat already passed, that was actually the time when i found out about the center.

maybe the longchen nyingthik will be bestowed hopefully next year ? does that include chöd?

i update myself regurlarly what happesn in the Drikung Kagyu but havent come across with Chöd at all... hopefully in the future.

If the thought of demons Never rises in your mind, You need not fear the demon hosts around you. It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned, there are neither buddhas or demons. He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion. Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

KonchokZoepa wrote:thanks for so extensive reply. i found out recently about Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche living here. havent met him yet. he lives in another city where i am currently visiting but he is abroad teaching.

the shitro drubchen and retreat already passed, that was actually the time when i found out about the center.

maybe the longchen nyingthik will be bestowed hopefully next year ? does that include chöd?

You shouldn't have to wait for the entire Longchen Nyingthik cycle to be given before engaging in Chöd practice. In my experience, large empowerment events with teachings are not the easiest thing to come by.

With Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche being relatively local, I would imagine that the easiest thing would be to arrange a personal interview, and ask him for the lung then. That is, unless you want to try and catch one of the webcast transmissions done by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, who's been known to give it on occasion...

As for Drikung Chöd initiations, it might not be too long before His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche gives a wang via webcast. He has been doing this with increasing frequency over the last few years, and sees no problem with doing so. I'd keep an eye on the Garchen Institute's page on Facebook if I were you. That's where they post most of the information as to which teachings are going to be streamed, and via what website.

"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme

KonchokZoepa wrote:hi, i am looking information that when there are chöd empowerments happening. i would like to practice chöd but i dont have empowerments or any lung? is lung enough or do you need wang also.

and if you do know any chöd empowerments in 2013 or 2014 please inform me.

By far the easiest way to get a lung for Chöd practice is to attend a webcast by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. He always gives a lung for a short Chöd that includes the essence of all Chöd practices.

karma jinpa. the longchen nyingthik cycle of teachings and empowerments will take place next summer if the lama is in a heatlhy condition.

i will try to have an interview with Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche and request for the lung for chöd. maybe that is the best way to start.

and thanks karma jinpa very much for your active and extensive help and information.

to which school or lineage does the sound of dakini laughter belong to ? and can someone confirm that lung is enough for that practice.

If the thought of demons Never rises in your mind, You need not fear the demon hosts around you. It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned, there are neither buddhas or demons. He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion. Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

I like Tulku Dakpa very much, he is an excellent teacher. He have a nice center with a bunch of dedicated young disciples. They practice Longchen Nyingtik and do a drubchö of Könchok Chidu at least once a year.

If the thought of demons Never rises in your mind, You need not fear the demon hosts around you. It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned, there are neither buddhas or demons. He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion. Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

KonchokZoepa wrote:karma jinpa. the longchen nyingthik cycle of teachings and empowerments will take place next summer if the lama is in a heatlhy condition.

Rejoicing in your merit in that case

and thanks karma jinpa very much for your active and extensive help and information.

Happy to help. What are vajra siblings for, if not stuff like this?

to which school or lineage does the sound of dakini laughter belong to ? and can someone confirm that lung is enough for that practice.

LN is one of Jigme Lingpa's terma, revealed to him in visions of the Dakinis and of Longchenpa (hence the name). Thus it is Nyingma, but honestly I've met many Kagyu lamas (not the least of which Drikungpas) who also hold the lineage and practice it. Pretty sure HH Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang, HE Garchen Rinpoche, and Lho Ontul Rinpoche are included in that group. http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Longchen_Nyingtik

Historically there's been a bit of cooperation and cross-pollenization between Nyingma & Kagyu, especially in the Karma Kamtsang & Drikung. For Karma Kagyupas, the Namchö terma cycle is pretty important and the main source of practices such as Medicine Buddha (thanks to Karma Chagme). And of course Drikungpas have the Yangzab terma cycle, revealed by the 17th Drikung throneholder, Gyalwa Rinchen Phuntsok.

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"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme

akatararyo wrote:It is my understanding that the Chod from the Dudjom Tersar does not require empowerment to practice since there is no self-generation and T'hroma is visualized above your head.

You are going to find a lot of disagreement about that.

I disagree. Dudjom Tersar Chod is a large cycle encompassing the complete path from Ngondro to Dzogchen. It is true that there have been condensed versions of the practice created for large group practice which may be ok to practice without empowerment, but in general the vast majority of the practices within the cycle require empowerment. Also amongst many Dudjom Tersar circles it is not even taught until later in the path as it is an extremely powerful/profound practice which can bring negative consequences to those who do not know how to properly practice or lack proper empowerment.

dzogchungpa: Although I have not personally met Tulku Jigme Wangdrak Rinpoche, I have heard his is a legitimate blood relative of Dudjom Lingpa who until rather recently lived in Tibet. I know a few teachers who consider him to be an authentic Lama.

Karma Jinpa wrote:The best lamas I personally know of for Chöd empowerments are Lho Ontul Rinpoche, HH Karma Chagme Rinpoche, and Lama Tsering Wangdu. OR seems to give the wang pretty regularly, as it tends to be included in his annual Oddiyana Retreats. He lives at his monastery---Wogmin Thubten Shedrub Ling---in Tso Pema (Rewalsar Lake, India). The Drikung Dzogchen Communities in the U.S. are trying to arrange a teaching tour for him as we speaked; it's slated for 2014.http://www.dharma-media.org/wogmin/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkWWAhXr70g

Heard from a student and long-time retreatant that Ontul Rinpoche has visited Germany, Austria, Russia and Mongolia... So perhaps you could go to one of those countries. Or maybe you should invite the lama to Finland; see if you can get a Drikung center going. Garchen Rinpoche is also no stranger to Europe.

And while I don't know where he's been in the past, Lamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche has also give Chöd wangs on many occasions. Most recently he gave a Maha-Ati (Dzogchen) & Mahamudra Chöd and the associated teachings last year at the DDC in Vermont, U.S.

"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme

i have once participated in chöd in a retreat in the drikung lineage? my friend told me that this equals to lung even though i didnt do the whole practice. and i dont know which text it is and i dont remember the melody. so i guess that doesnt prove to be much of a help. i could ask what the sadhana is but can i do it wihout melody and what are the dangers of chöd if there are any?

If the thought of demons Never rises in your mind, You need not fear the demon hosts around you. It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned, there are neither buddhas or demons. He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion. Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….